Struck by lightning.

Herman, Nebraska, August 13 –

While working on the farm of Ray Triplett, one mile west of town, stacking wheat, Herman Thompson and Nels Matsen were struck by lightning and instantly killed. The team attached to the wagon used in hauling the grain ran away and Anna Triplett, 9 years of age, who was on the vehicle, was thrown off and her left arm dislocated.

The weather had been clear all afternoon and just before 5 o’clock at small cloud came up from the west scattering a few drops of rain. Thompson and Matsen, the young men working for Triplett, had driven from the field with a load of bundles and were half through unloading onto the stack when the shower came. The rain was so light that they did not stop work. There was one flash of lightning and from what can be learned, the bolt struck and instantly killed Matsen, who was on the stack, and instantly seemed to spread in a sheet of flame, killing Thompson.

The flash and the thunder that followed frightened the horses and they dashed off through the field, overturning the wagon. On the wagon, besides Thompson, were three children of Mr. Triplett’s. None except Anna were injured, though all were thrown to the ground and buried beneath the load of grain. – Omaha World Herald

Note: Since the actual death date was not given, the news article date was used.